The sacred city of Madina (also known as Medina) is very significant in Islamic culture and is one of the main sites for Muslims performing Umrah, a holy pilgrimage to Makkah that may be performed at any time of the year. Known as the ‘city of the Prophet’, each year Medina welcomes huge numbers of Muslims to the city, located in the Hejaz region of the Kingdom, for both pilgrimage and vacation purposes. An ancient city with modern flourishes, Medina is filled with numerous sacred, historic and culturally important sites – ideal for a stop off after performing Umrah. Here’s everything you can’t miss when you get there.
1. Visit Al Masjid an Nabawi
Among the best places to visit in Madinah during Umrah, Al Masjid an Nabawi (The Prophet's Mosque) is the second holiest mosque in Islam. The final resting place of the blessed Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), it was built by him after his migration from Mecca. It was the second mosque constructed (after Quba Mosque, also located in Medina), in the history of Islam. It is also one of the largest mosques in the world.
The present plan of the mosque dates to the early years of the 1990s and incorporates structures from the late Ottoman era to the early and modern Saudi periods. Today, the Mosque of the Prophet includes a complex of buildings dating back to the seventh century and incorporates other sites like Jannatul Baqi, the oldest and first Islamic cemetery of Medina and Saqifah Bani Saidah, where the pledge of allegiance to the first Caliph of the Muslims was held right after the death of the Prophet.
Pilgrims can pray at the mosque, pay their respects at the Prophet's tomb, and visit the tomb next to his, which is the resting place of Abu Bakar, the Prophet’s closest friend and companion.
2. Al Jum’ah Mosque
Also known as Bani Salim Mosque, Masjid Al Jum’ah is known to be the first mosque where Prophet Muhammad and his companions performed a Juma prayer for the first time while migrating from Mecca to Medina. This took place shortly after his Hijrah or migration from Mecca. Located around 2.5 kilometers from Al Masjid an Nabwi, the mosque includes a minaret, a main dome in the middle of a praying area and four small domes on its sides. It was built using stone while its minaret was constructed using red brick. The mosque has been renovated several times and rebuilt to include new design, decor and expanded services.
3. Masjid Al Quba
The first mosque in Islamic history, Quba is a must-see destination for any Muslim in Madinah for Umrah. The greatest mosque in Islam after the three mosques, it was built in the quarter of Bani Amr bin Awf and today is connected to the Prophet’s Mosques by a 3km walking trail. The mosque has been renovated and expanded throughout its history. Othman bin Affan, the third caliph, renewed and expanded the mosque during his reign. It was also renewed by Omar bin Abdulaziz, the eighth Umayyad caliph, during his tenure as governor of Madinah.
The mosque has also been the subject of great care and attention during the Saudi era. Under King Fahd bin Abdulaziz the mosque was rebuilt, preserving its previous design. The mosque area was then expanded several times from its original area to include four additional minarets and large domes. Presently, the King Salman Project to expand Quba Mosque and develop its surroundings is underway with the aim to increase the mosque’s total area to accommodate up to 66,000 worshippers.
Such investment signifies Quba Mosque’s continual and prominent role as a major religious and spiritual center – an edifice worth visiting for prayer but also for its architectural beauty and heritage.
4. Grave of Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib and Mount Uhud
Located within the vicinity of Mount Uhud, this grave to the paternal uncle and companion of Prophet Muhammad – Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib, who was martyred in the Battle of Uhud – is a religious site worth visiting. According to popular belief, Prophet Muhammad’s daughter Fatima used to visit the grave and take care of it. A visit to the grave can be combined with a hike on Mount Uhud, which is steeped in Islamic history and historical and religious sites, not to mention breathtaking natural surroundings.
5. Indulge in local Medina cuisine
While visiting Medina during Umrah, be sure to try the local cuisine from a variety of wonderful restaurants and cafes. Traditional dishes include Mantu, a popular steamed dumpling dish; Yaghmush, leavened bread filled with juicy meat; Kabsa, a classic Arabian meat and rice dish; Balila, a traditional Arab salad made primarily from chickpeas and served warm with diced cucumbers, grated beets and seasoned with a mixture of spices, lemon juice, olive oil and sometimes garlic and herbs; Mandi, a traditional Saudi dish cooked by lighting a fire in a special pit and placing a lamb or goat within it with or without rice; Tamees, a renowned Arabian flatbread, and various types of sweets.
Some popular restaurants in Medina include Arabesque Restaurant on King Fahd Road that offers local Middle Eastern and international cuisine in an upscale setting. Traditional Saudi dishes, including camel meat and Mandi, can be found in restaurants such as Hashi Basha, Al Romansiah, Shawayah Biladi, Reef al-Arab, and Raydan. There’s also a variety of places that serve Indian and Pakistani fare but if you wish to truly indulge in local culture during your Umrah visit, we suggest opting for delicious local cuisine at least once.
